2023-10-11 07:58:46
PHILADELPHIA IS THE UNITED STATES’ FIRST WORLD HERITAGE CITY. Home to 68 National Historical Landmarks and America’s “most historic square mile,” Philadelphia is where the Founding Fathers adopted ideas for an independent new nation. Independence National Historical Park is a robust collection of sites that includes Independence Hall — where the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, and the Constitution was written and debated — and the Liberty Bell, as well as the Benjamin Franklin Museum, Franklin Court Printing Office, the Second Bank of the United States and more. The President’s House on Independence Mall marks the footprint of the residence of presidents George Washington and John Adams while in office, while also telling the story of the enslaved people who built and worked in the house. Congress Hall oversaw two major presidential inaugurations, starting with the swearing-in of George Washington for his second term in 1793. Site of the first Continental Congress in 1774, today Carpenters’ Hall displays hand tools, the chairs used by Founding Fathers and other historical artifacts. Tour the home of reported American flag-maker Betsy Ross to learn about her interaction with the Founding Fathers from the famed seamstress herself. Step back in time on carefully preserved Elfreth’s Alley — the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited street. The American Philosophical Society was co-founded by Ben Franklin in 1743, and its museum is a treasure trove of historic items, including a draft of the Declaration of Independence. Founded in 1695, Christ Church & Burial Ground was the place of worship for numerous Founding Fathers. Benjamin Franklin’s tomb can be found in the church’s burial ground. A block from Independence Hall is Washington Square, one of the city’s original squares, and home to the memorial to Washington and unknown soldiers of the American Revolution. The National Constitution Center brings the U.S. Constitution to life through multimedia exhibits, engaging performances and historic artifacts.
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